First Lady of Song – Alexis J. Roston sings Ella Fitzgerald

Artist’s Lounge Live Presents: First Lady of Song – Alexis J Roston Sings Ella Fitzgerald
February 24, 2025, 7:30 pm
February 25, 2025, 2:00 pm

Tickets: $49/$45

An Artists Lounge Live production. Sponsored by the Bob White Memorial Concert Fund.

Award-winner Alexis J Roston salutes America’s favorite jazz singer, Ella Fitzgerald. Roston is known for her mesmerizing star turn as Billie Holiday in multiple productions of Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill, earning Chicago’s Jeff Award and Black Theatre Alliance Award. In a spellbinding concert performance, Roston effortlessly emits the sultry swing and playful joy that made Ella an American treasure. Classic tunes include “Summertime,” “The Lady Is a Tramp,” and “It Don’t Mean a Thing If It Ain’t Got That Swing.”

ABOUT THE ARTIST: Time Out Chicago calls her “phenomenal,” and Showbiz Chicago raves “Roston holds the audience in the palm of her hand.” Actress, director, and playwright Alexis J Roston earned acclaim for her mesmerizing portrayal of Billie Holiday in Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill, including Chicago’s Jeff Award, a Black Theatre Alliance Award, and the Black Excellence Award. Other credits nationwide include starring in Don’t Make Me Over— A Tribute to Dionne Warwick (Jeff Award Nomination, Black Theatre Alliance Award Nomination), Porgy and Bess (Bess), Ragtime (Sarah), Sister Act (Deloris), For Colored Girls… (Lady in Orange), Ain’t Misbehavin (Charlaine), Shrek: The Musical (Dragon), The Wiz (Addaperle), The Piano Lesson (Grace), Crowns (Jeanette), Company (Sarah), Godspell (Joanne), Smokey Joe’s Cafe (Brenda), Jesus Christ Superstar, The Color Purple, Hair, Hairspray, and work with The Second City. Concerts include First Lady of Song: Alexis J Roston Sings Ella Fitzgerald. An ensemble member of Congo Square Theatre, Roston served as director and playwright of A Nativity Story: More Than A Miracle. Television: Chicago PD, Chicago Code, and The Chi. She holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from Howard University.

ABOUT THE COMPANY: Artists Lounge Live presents timeless popular music performed by singular talents in captivating concerts marked by superb musicianship and intimate storytelling. The Chicago-based company is created and produced by married team Michael and Angela Ingersoll. All-around entertainer and producer Michael Ingersoll starred as Nick Massi of the Four Seasons in Jersey Boys, originating the Broadway tour’s San Francisco, LA, and Chicago casts. He also created retro-rock group Under the Streetlamp, starring in several PBS specials and touring internationally. Emmy Award-nominated actor, singer, and writer Angela Ingersoll tours her PBS special Get Happy: Angela Ingersoll Sings Judy Garland. She also starred as Garland in End of the Rainbow, winning Chicago’s Jeff Award and LA Times Woman of the Year in Theatre.